Lid with integrated storage

ABSTRACT

A container includes a base and a cap that engages a portion of the base. The base has a body portion and a neck portion, where the neck portion defines an open end. The cap has a housing and a hinged lid. The housing defines an open cavity in the cap, and the neck portion extends into the open cavity. The hinged lid is movable between an open position providing access to the cavity and a closed portion sealing the cavity.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to a lid having an integrated storagecompartment.

Description of Related Art

Lids or packaging may have dual purposes, such as to carry unusedproducts or used products that are kept separate from the contents ofthe package. Lids can include multiple parts, such as a base, a divider,and a top to create the assembly having a storage compartment. However,multiple, unattached parts can get lost during use.

SUMMARY

At least one example embodiment relates to a container. The containerincludes a base and a cap that engages a portion of the base. The basehas a body portion and a neck portion. The neck portion defines an openend. The cap has a housing, a hinged lid, and a partition. The housingdefines an open cavity in the cap, and the neck portion extends into theopen cavity. The hinged lid is movable between an open positionproviding access to the cavity and a closed portion sealing the cavity.

In at least one example embodiment, the partition defines a firstcompartment in the open cavity of the cap. The hinged lid may movebetween the open position and the closed position so as to provideaccess to the first compartment.

In at least one example embodiment, a portion of the body portion mayextend into the open cavity, and the cap may be configured to engage thebody portion.

In at least one example embodiment, the body portion of the base and thehousing of the cap may have different cross sectional shapes.

In at least one example embodiment, the hinged lid and the cap may be asingle piece.

In at least one example embodiment, the cap may be configured to engagethe neck portion of the base.

In at least one example embodiment, the cap may be configured tothreadably engage at least a portion of the neck portion of the base.

In at least one example embodiment, the cap may include threads having apress and twist release to threadably engage the neck portion.

In at least one example embodiment, the cap may be configured to engageat least a portion of the body portion of the base in a snap-fit.

In at least one example embodiment, the body portion may include agroove, and the cap may include an open edge that is configured toengage the groove so as to create the snap-fit.

In at least one example embodiment, the body portion may include a lipadjacent the groove, and the lip may be configured to deform when thegroove receives the open edge of the cap.

In at least one example embodiment, the hinged lid may be monolithicallyformed with the housing.

In at least one example embodiment, the hinged lid may include a livinghinge.

In at least one example embodiment, the cap may include a childresistant feature.

In at least one example embodiment, the child resistant feature mayinclude a press and twist release on a plurality of threads on thehousing.

In at least one example embodiment, the child resistant feature mayinclude a deformable housing in the cap and opposing squeeze tabs. Whenthe opposing squeeze tabs are pressed together, the deformable housingmay flex to release the cap from the neck portion.

In at least one example embodiment, the cap may further include a liner.

At least one example embodiment relates to a cap for a container. Thecap includes a housing, a partition, and a lid. The partition defines acompartment and an open cavity. The lid is configured to engage thehousing. The lid is movable between an open position providing access tothe compartment and a closed position sealing the compartment.

In at least one example embodiment, the housing may include an open edgeincluding a lip configured to engage a body of the container.

In at least one example embodiment, the lid may be a hinged lid. Thehinged lid may be monolithically formed with the housing.

In at least one example embodiment, the lid may be configured to engagea neck portion of the container.

In at least one example embodiment, the housing may be a cylindricalhousing.

In at least one example embodiment, the housing may be one of oblong,oval, rectangular, hexagonal, and octagonal.

In at least one example embodiment, the lid may include a living hinge.

In at least one example embodiment, the housing may define an opening ina top surface, and the lid may cover the opening in the closed position.The partition may extend from an edge of the opening and form acup-shaped recess so as to define the compartment.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodimentsherein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawingsare merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawingsare not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Forpurposes of clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have beenexaggerated.

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to at least oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of at least one example embodiment of thecontainer shown in FIG. 1 having a hinged lid in an open position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of at least one example embodiment of thecontainer shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of at least one example embodiment of asection of the container shown in FIG. 1 along line IV-IV.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of at least one example embodiment ofa section of the container shown in FIG. 2 along line V-V.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a portion of the container of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of at least one example embodiment of thecontainer shown in FIG. 1 having a removable lid in an open position.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of at least one example embodiment of thecontainer shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional, exploded view of at least one exampleembodiment of the container shown in FIG. 1 having a cap integrated witha bottle cap.

FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional view of at least one exampleembodiment of a section of the container shown in FIG. 1 along lineIV-IV with the container having a child resistant feature.

FIG. 10A is another cross-sectional view of at least one exampleembodiment of a section of the container shown in FIG. 1 with thecontainer having another child resistant feature.

FIG. 10B is another cross section view of the at least one exampleembodiment in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional view of at least one exampleembodiment of a section of the container shown in FIG. 1 along lineIV-IV with a cap of the container having a liner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Exampleembodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forthherein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof areshown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described indetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to thecontrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of exampleembodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout thedescription of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “covering” another elementor layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or coveringthe other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layersand/or sections, these elements, regions, layers, and/or sections shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, orsection. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or sectiondiscussed below could be termed a second element, region, layer, orsection without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, and/orelements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or groupsthereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofexample embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of theillustrations are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should notbe construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein butare to include deviations and variations in shapes.

When the terms “about” or “substantially” are used in this specificationin connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the associatednumerical value includes a manufacturing or operational tolerance (e.g.,±10%) around the stated numerical value. Moreover, when the words“generally” or “substantially” are used in connection with geometricshapes, it is intended that precision of the geometric shape is notrequired but that latitude for the shape is within the scope of thedisclosure. Further, regardless of whether numerical values or shapesare modified as “about” or “substantially,” it will be understood thatthese values and shapes should be construed as including a manufacturingor operational tolerance (e.g., ±10%) around the stated numerical valuesor shapes.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

At least one example embodiment generally relates to a cap, or over-capfor a container. The cap may be a primary cap or a secondary cap for thecontainer, meaning that the cap may directly seal the contents of thecontainer (primary cap) or may be an over-cap, covering another cap,such as a main cap, of the container (secondary cap). The cap includesan integrated disposal or storage compartment, configured to provideadditional storage space to, and separate from, the container.

The storage compartment of the cap may provide a disposal compartmentfor used products. The storage compartment may be designed such that thestorage compartment may be used with a variety of container shapes,where the neck geometry of the container is held constant which mayallow for product differentiation while also carrying the look and feelof a consistent brand family. In at least one example embodiment wherethe lid is removable, the lid is easily washed without potentiallyintroducing soap or water to the remainder of the package. The cap orover-cap may include child-resistant features or be used with a packagehaving separate child-resistant features, such as a press-and-twistcover or lid. In at least one example embodiment, the cap or over-caphaving integrated storage may be fixed to the container by an integratedband or ring that secures to the neck of the container.

In at least one example embodiment, the cap or over-cap may be used withpharmaceutical containers, deodorant containers, shoe polish containers,insecticides, or the like. In at least one example embodiment, theintegrated storage compartment may be used to dispose of items, holdseparate pharmaceuticals, hold a cologne bottle or sample, hold apolishing rag, hold an ant trap, or the like.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to at least oneexample embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, in at least one example embodiment, a container 100includes a base 114 and a cap 118. The cap 118 may be removably fixed tothe base 114. For example, in at least one example embodiment, the cap118 may be snap-fit to the base 114.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the base 114 andthe cap 118 may have a generally oval cross-section. The base 114 mayhave a height that is greater than a height of the cap 118. In at leastone example embodiment, the height of the base 114 may be at least 1.5times greater than the height of the cap 118. In at least one exampleembodiment, the height of the base 114 may be within a range of about 80mm to about 350 mm, and the height of the cap 118 may be within a rangeof about 50 mm to about 100 mm.

In at least one example embodiment, a large diameter of the cap 118 maybe equal to a large diameter of the base 114 (i.e. the large diameter isthe diameter of the elongated sides of the elliptical). In at least oneexample embodiment, the large diameter of the base 114 (and the largediameter of the cap 118) may be within a range of about 30 mm to about80 mm. However, it is understood that the disclosure is not limited tothese ranges, and containers having larger or smaller heights anddiameters are envisioned.

In at least one example embodiment, the base 114 and the cap 118 may beformed of the same material. In at least one alternative exampleembodiment, the base 114 and the cap 118 may be formed of differentmaterials. In at least one example embodiment, the base 114 and the cap118 may be formed of a moldable polymer (such as polypropylene orpolyethylene), a fiberboard, a metallic material (e.g., aluminum, tin,stainless steel, or the like), a combination of materials, or any othersuitable material or combination thereof. In at least one exampleembodiment, an interior of the container 10 may be coated with a wax orother food-grade coating. An external portion of the base 114 and thecap 118 may be painted, stamped, embossed, or may have labels appliedthereon.

In at least one example embodiment, the base 114 and/or cap 118 of thecontainer 100 may be formed by injection molding, blow molding,compression molding, vacuum casting, or any other polymer formingprocess. In at least one alternative example embodiment, the base 114and/or cap 118 of the container 100 may be formed by rolling, stamping,another metalworking procedure, or a combination of these. In at leastone alternative example embodiment, the base 114 and/or cap 118 of thecontainer 100 may be formed by hot press molding and drying, or anyother fiberboard molding process.

In at least one example embodiment, the cap 118 includes a housing 122and a lid 126. The lid 126 may be engaged with the housing 122 at leastin a closed position. In at least one example embodiment, the lid 126may be movable from a closed position (FIG. 1) engaging the housing 122around a circumference of the lid 126 to an open position (for example,FIGS. 2 and 7) where at least a portion of the lid 126 is disengagedfrom the housing 122. In at least one example embodiment, lid 126 may bepivotably fixed to the housing 122 by a hinge or other mechanism. In atleast one alternative example embodiment, the lid 126 may be completelyremovable, snap-fit, or otherwise engaged with the housing 122. The lid126 may provide access to a storage compartment (described below) in thecap 118.

In at least one example embodiment, the housing 122 may have an ovalshape. However, while an oval shape is illustrated, it is understoodthat in at least one alternative example embodiment, the housing maytake on any shape (for example, a circle, a rectangle, a square, atriangle, a polygon, a hexagon, an octagon, etc.). While the lid 26 isillustrated as being an oval shape, it is understood that the lid 26 maytake on any shape (for example, a circle, a rectangle, a square, atriangle, a polygon, a hexagon, an octagon, etc.) that mates with ashape of the housing 122.

In at least one example embodiment, the container 100 may house an oralproduct. The oral product may be a tobacco products or a non-tobaccoproduct. The oral product may include chewing tobacco, snus, moist snufftobacco, dry snuff tobacco, or other smokeless tobacco and non-tobaccoproducts for oral consumption. A smokeless tobacco product may includetobacco that is whole, shredded, cut, granulated, reconstituted, cured,aged, fermented, pasteurized, or otherwise processed. Tobacco may bepresent as portions of leaves, flowers, roots, stems, extracts, or anycombination thereof. In at least one example embodiment, the oralproduct includes a tobacco extract, such as a tobacco-derived nicotineextract (e.g., white snus) alone or in combination with non-tobaccocellulosic materials. Where the oral product includes nicotine, with orwithout tobacco, the nicotine may be tobacco-derived nicotine orsynthetic nicotine. The oral product may be provided loose, in a pouch,as a plug or twist, or in a desired shape.

The oral product may have various ranges of moisture. In at least oneexample embodiment, the oral product is a dry oral product having amoisture content ranging from 5% by weight to 10% by weight. In at leastone example embodiment, the oral product has a medium moisture content,such as a moisture content ranging from 20% by weight to 35% by weight.In at least one example embodiment, the oral product is a wet oralproduct having a moisture content ranging from 40% by weight to 55% byweight.

The tobacco products may include smokeless tobacco pouches, for example.The non-tobacco products may include herbal compositions, pharmaceuticalmedications, or other non-tobacco products. Herbs and other edibleplants can be categorized generally as culinary herbs (e.g., thyme,lavender, rosemary, coriander, dill, mint, peppermint) and medicinalherbs (e.g., Dahlias, Cinchona, Foxglove, Meadowsweet, Echinacea,Elderberry, Willow bark). In some example embodiments, the non-tobaccoproducts may include cannabis or cannabis extracts.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of at least one example embodiment of thelid having integrated storage assembled on the bottle shown in FIG. 1,the lid having a hinged cap in an open position.

In at least one example embodiment, the base 114 and the cap 118 aregenerally the same as in FIG. 1, except, the lid 126 is shown in an openposition and as a hinged lid connected to the housing 122 by a hinge230, such as, for example, a living hinge. In at least one exampleembodiment, the lid 126 may pivot between an open position and a closedposition around an axis A along a length of the hinge 230.

In at least one example embodiment, the lid 126 may further include alip 234 projecting away from an interior surface 238 of the lid 126 andextending around a perimeter of the interior surface 238 of the lid 126.In at least one example embodiment, the lip 234 may extend fully arounda perimeter of the interior surface 238 of the lid 126. While the lip234 is illustrated as extending fully around the perimeter, it isunderstood that in at least one alternative example embodiment, the lip234 may extend partially around a perimeter of the interior surface 238of the lid 126. The lip 234 may define a recess 242 on the interiorsurface 38.

In at least one example embodiment, a flange, or overhang, 246 may bedisposed radially outward of the lip 234. The flange 246 may engage thehousing 122 when the lid 126 is in the closed position (shown anddescribed with respect to FIG. 4).

In at least one example embodiment, the housing 122 may include an outerwall 254 that defines an open cavity 258 in the cap 118. In at least oneexample embodiment, the outer wall 254 may be an oval-shaped, outer wall254 defining an open cavity 258 therein. In at least one exampleembodiment, the open cavity 58 may have an oval cross section. While theouter wall 254 may be illustrated and discussed as an oval-shaped outerwall 254, it is understood that the outer wall 254 may be any shape (forexample, a cylindrical tube, a rectangular tube, a square tube, atriangular tube, a polygonal tube, etc.) that mates with a shape of thelid 126.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of at least one example embodiment of thecontainer 100 shown in FIG. 1.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a partition 362may divide the open cavity 258 into a first compartment 466 and a secondcompartment 470 (shown in FIG. 4). The partition 362 may be formed in asame shape as a cross-section of the open cavity 258 defined by theouter wall 254, thereby completely separating the first compartment 466from the second compartment 470.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the base 114 mayinclude a body 390 and a cover 322 (described in further detail below).In at least one example embodiment, the base 114 may be a pharmaceuticalcontainer, a deodorant container, a shoe polish container, aninsecticide, or the like.

In at least one example embodiment, the body 390 may include a steppedportion (shoulder) or an inset portion 314 that engages with an openedge 382 of the housing 122 of the cap 118. In at least one exampleembodiment, the inset portion 314 is disposed in a shoulder 318 of thebody 390 and extends around at least a portion of the body 390 toestablish a snap fit between the cap 118 and the body 390. In at leastone example embodiment, the inset portion 314 extends fully around acircumference of the body 390 to establish a snap fit between the cap118 and the body 390. In at least one example embodiment, the insetportion 314 may have a shape that mirrors the shape of the open edge382. In at least one example embodiment, the shape of the inset portion314 may be an L-shape to mate with the open edge 382 (as better shown inFIG. 4). The inset portion 314 may have a depth equal to a thickness ofthe housing 122 of the cap 118, such that when the open edge 382 isdisposed in the inset portion 314, an outer surface of the housing 122is flush with an outer surface of the body 390.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of at least one example embodiment of asection of the lid having integrated storage and bottle shown in FIG. 1along line IV-IV.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the lid 126 isin the closed position. In at least one example embodiment, a seal 450,for example an O-ring, may be disposed at an intersection of the flange246 and the lip 234 for sealing the lid 126 when the lid 126 is in theclosed position as shown in FIG. 4. The seal 450, when the lid 126 is inthe closed position, may reduce and/or prevent debris or other matterfrom passing between the seal 450 and lip 234.

In at least one example embodiment, the partition 362 divides the opencavity 258 into the first compartment 466 and the second compartment470. In at least one example embodiment, the partition 362 may beconnected to and/or be integral with an interior surface 474 of theouter wall 254.

In at least one example embodiment, the first compartment 466 may bedefined by a top surface 476 of the partition 362, the interior surface474 of the outer wall 254, and the interior surface 238 of the lid 126.The lid 126 moves between the open position and the closed position toprovide access to the first compartment 466. The seal 450, when the lid126 is in the closed position, may prevent and/or reduce debris or othermatter from passing into or out of the first compartment 466. In atleast one example embodiment, the seal 450 may hermetically seal thefirst compartment 466 when the lid 126 is in the closed position. Thefirst compartment 466 may provide additional storage space to thecontainer 100 but separate from storage space/contents in the base 114.

In at least one example embodiment, the first compartment 466 may beused to hold complementary items to the items held in the base 114. Inat least one example embodiment, the first compartment 466 may holdseparate pharmaceuticals, a cologne bottle or sample, a polishing rag,or an ant trap, while the base 114 contains pharmaceutical containers,deodorant containers, shoe polish containers, or insecticides,respectively. In at least one example embodiment, the first compartment466 may be used as a disposal compartment to hold used items until aproper disposal bin (or trash can) is available. In at least one exampleembodiment, the first compartment 466 may hold used tobacco pouchproducts or tobacco material, while the base 114 holds unused tobaccopouch products or tobacco material.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, in at least one example embodiment,the second compartment 470 may be a recess 478 defined by a bottomsurface 480 of the partition 362 and the inner surface 474 of the outerwall 254. The outer wall 254 may include the open edge 382 that engageswith the base 114.

In at least one example embodiment, the base 114 may include a neck 494extending from the body 390. In at least one example embodiment, thebase 114 may define an interior space 498 for containing contents of thecontainer 100.

The interior space 498 may largely exist within the body 390. The body390 may be have an elliptical or oval cross section, and a closed end402 at a bottom 406 of the body 390. A portion 410 of the interior space498 within the body 390 may be oval shaped, corresponding to a shape ofthe body 390. While the body 390 is illustrated as being oval shaped, itis understood that the body 390 may have a cross-section of any shape,for example cylindrical, rectangular, square, triangular, polygonal etc.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of at least one example embodiment ofa section of the lid having integrated storage and bottle shown in FIG.2 along line V-V. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a portion of thecontainer of FIG. 5A.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, thecontainer 100 is the same as FIG. 4, but the lid 126 of the cap 118 isin an open position.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, theopen edge 382 of the cap 118 may include a lip, or projection, 586 thatextends inwardly towards the recess 478 and is configured to engage withthe base 114. In at least one example embodiment, the lip 586 may extendcontinuously and fully around the open edge 382 of the outer wall 254.In at least one alternative example embodiment, the lip 586 may extendaround a portion of the open edge 382 of the outer wall 254. In at leastone example embodiment, the lip 586 on the open edge 382 of the cap 118may engage with the inset 314 in the body 390. In at least one exampleembodiment, the inset 314 may have a shape that mirrors the shape of thelip 586. More particularly, the shape of the inset 314 may be curved tomate with the lip 586. In at least one example embodiment, the lip 586and inset 314 may cooperate to provide a snap fit of the cap 118 on thebase 114.

In at least one example embodiment, the neck 494 may extend from thebody 390 on an opposite end from the closed end 402. The neck 494 mayinclude a sidewall 518 that engages with the cover 322 for the base 114.In at least one example embodiment, the sidewall 518 may include threads526 that engage with threads 530 on the cover 322. The cover 322 maythread onto the threads 526 of the neck 494 to seal the contents of theinterior space 498.

In at least one example embodiment, the neck 494 and body 390 may be asingle, integral or monolithic piece. In at least one exampleembodiment, a diameter d of the neck 494 may be less than a diameter Dof the body 390 (or length/width dimension of the neck 494 may be lessthan length/width dimensions of the body 390, depending on thecross-section shape). In at least one example embodiment, the diameter dof the neck 494 may be within a range of ¼ to ½ the diameter D of thebody 390. More particularly, in at least one example embodiment, thediameter of the neck 494 may be within a range of about 6 mm to about 40mm, and the diameter D of the body 90 may be within a range of about 25mm to about 80 mm.

In at least one example embodiment, a transition section 534 may connectthe body 390 with the neck 494. The transition section 534 may decreasethe diameter (or length/width dimensions) from the diameter D (orlength/width dimensions) of the body 390 to the diameter d (orlength/width dimensions) of the neck 494.

In operation, the cap 118 and cover 322 may start in an open position,providing access to the contents of the base 114 (for example, FIG. 3illustrates the cap 118 in the open position). In at least one exampleembodiment, to close the container 100, the threads 530 on the cover 322are aligned with the threads 526 on the neck 494, and the threads 530are moved into engagement with the threads 526. The cover 322 is rotatedclockwise to engage the threads 530, 526 and assemble the cover 322 onthe neck 494. When an open edge 542 of the cover 322 is in a lowermostposition, for example fully seated on the transition section 534, thecover 322 is in a closed position.

In at least one example embodiment, to close the cap 118, the open edge382 of the housing 122 of the cap 118 is aligned with the body 390 (forexample, at the inset 314). The housing 122 is pressed onto the body 390and the cap 118 is engaged with, such as snapped, into the inset 314. Inat least one example embodiment, the open edge 382 deflects such thatthe lip 586 snaps into the inset 314 to retain the cap 118 on the base114.

In at least one example embodiment, to open the container 100, thehousing 122 is pulled away from the body 390 to disengage or unsnap thecap 118 from the base 114. In at least one example embodiment, the openedge 382 flexes, or deflects, such that the lip 586 snaps out of theinset 314 to release the cap 118 from the base 114.

In at least one example embodiment, the cover 322 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction. The open edge 542 of the cover 322disengages and moves away from the transition section 534. The cover 322is rotated in a counterclockwise direction until the threads 530 on thecover 322 become disengaged with the threads 526 on the neck 494. Thecover 322 may then be removed from the base 114 and is in the openposition, exposing the contents of the base 114.

While the cap 118 is in the open position or the closed position, thelid 126 may be independently moved from an open position to a closedposition and from the closed position to the open position to seal andreveal contents of the first compartment 466. In at least one exampleembodiment, when the lid 126 is in the closed position, the consumer maygrasp the flange 246 of the lid 126 and pivot the lid 126 about thehinge 230 to move the lid 126 from the closed position to the openposition.

In at least one example embodiment, to close the lid 126, the consumermay press on a top side 536 of the lid 126 (FIG. 4), opposite theinterior surface 238, to pivot the lid 126 about the hinge 230 and movethe lid 126 to the closed position. In at least one example embodiment,when the lid 126 is in the closed position, the lip 234 contacts theinterior surface 474 of the housing 122, and the flange 246 contacts atop end 540 of the outer wall 254.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of at least one example embodiment of thecap having integrated storage assembled on the bottle shown in FIG. 1.The container is the same as in FIG. 1, but the cap includes a removablelid 726 instead of a hinged lid 126. As shown in FIG. 6, the removablelid 726 is in an open position.

In at least one example embodiment, the lid 726 may be a separate lid726 that is completely detachable from the housing 122. In at least oneexample embodiment, the lid 726 may include the features of the lip, orprotrusion, 234 projecting from the interior surface 238 of the lid 726,the recess 242 on the interior surface 238, the flange or overhang 246,and the seal 450 as shown in FIG. 2.

Additionally, while the lid 726 is illustrated as being an oval shape,it is understood that the lid 726 may take on any shape (for example, acircle, a rectangle, a square, a triangle, a polygon, a hexagon, anoctagon, etc.) that mates with a shape of the housing 122.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of at least one example embodiment of the lidhaving integrated storage and bottle shown in FIG. 6.

With additional reference to FIG. 7, in at least one example embodiment,the lid 726 may mate with the housing 122 of the cap 118. The lid 726may be engaged with the housing 122 at least in a closed position. In atleast one example embodiment, the lid 726 may be movable from a closedposition engaging the housing 122 around a circumference of the lid 726to an open position where the lid 726 is fully disengaged from thehousing 122. The lid 726 may provide access to the storage compartment466 in the cap 118.

In use, while the cap 118 is in the open position or the closedposition, the lid 726 may be independently moved from an open positionto a closed position and from the closed position to the open positionto seal and reveal contents of the first compartment 466. In at leastone example embodiment, when the lid 726 is in the closed position, theconsumer may grasp the flange 246 of the lid 726 and completely detachthe lid 726 from the top end 540 of the outer wall 254 to move the lid726 from the closed position to the open position.

In at least one example embodiment, to close the lid 726, the consumermay align the lip 234 with the top end 540 of the outer wall 254, suchthat the lip 234 contacts the interior surface 474 at the top end 540.The top side 536 of the lid 726, opposite the interior surface 238, maybe pressed to insert the lip 234 into the housing 122 and bring theflange 246 into contact with the top end 540. In at least one exampleembodiment, when the lip 234 contacts the interior surface 474 of thehousing 122 and the flange 246 contacts a top end 540 of the outer wall254, the lid 726 is in the closed position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional, exploded view of at least one exampleembodiment of the lid having integrated storage assembled on the bottleshown in FIG. 1, the lid being integrated with a bottle cap. FIG. 8includes the same features as in FIG. 1, but further includes apartition 862 that acts as both a partition for the housing 122 and atop of a cover 822. A sidewall 838 of the cover 822 projects from abottom surface 880 of the partition 862 and includes threads 830 thatengage with the threads 526 on the sidewall 518 of the neck 494. Thus,the cap 118 may be rotated to unscrew the cover 822 from the neck 494and may function as a primary cap for the container 100.

In at least one example embodiment, a body 390 of the base 114 mayinclude the inset 314 that receives the open edge 382 of the housing122. In at least one alternative example embodiment, the body 390 of thebase 114 may not include the inset 314. Since the cover 822 is integralto the cap 118, the inset 314 is not necessary to retain the cap 118 onthe base 114.

In operation, the cap 118 may start in an open position, providingaccess to the contents of the base 114. To close the container 100, thethreads 830 on the cover 822 are aligned with the threads 526 on theneck 494, and the threads 830 are moved into engagement with the threads526. The cap 118 is rotated clockwise to engage the threads 830, 526 andassemble the cover 822 on the neck 494. As an open edge 842 of the cover822 approaches the transition section 534, the open edge 382 of thehousing 122 of the cap 118 will engage the body 390. When the open edge842 is in its lowermost position, for example fully seated on thetransition section 534, and the open edge 382 is engaged with the body390, the cap 118 is in the closed position.

To open the container 100, the cap 118 is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection. The open edge 382 of the housing 122 of the cap 118disengages the body 390 and moves away from the transition section 534.The cap 118 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction until the threads830 on the cover 822 become disengaged with the threads 526 on the neck494. The cap 118 may then be removed from the base 114 and is in theopen position.

FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional view of at least one exampleembodiment of a section of the container shown in FIG. 1 along lineIV-IV′ with the container having a child resistant feature.

FIG. 9 may include the same features as FIG. 1, except the cover 322 inFIG. 9 may include a child-resistant feature, such as a press-and-twistarrangement, 910. In at least one example embodiment, an entire cap 118must be pressed and turned in a counter-clockwise direction to disengagethe cover 322 from the neck 494.

In at least one example embodiment, the cover 322 includes an innershell 946 and an outer shell 950. The inner shell 946 includes threads930 that engage threads 526 on the neck 494. The outer shell 950includes projections 954 on an inner surface 958 thereof that engage anouter surface 962 of the inner shell 946 when the outer shell 950 ispressed. Thus, the outer shell 950 may turn freely relative to the innershell 946 when a force is not applied thereto. However, when a force isapplied to the outer shell 950 in a direction of arrow B, the outershell 950 moves the projections 954 into engagement with the inner shell946 and the outer shell 950 and inner shell 946 turn simultaneously.

In at least one example embodiment, the cap 118 and cover 322 may be asingle monolithic part. When the cap 118 and cover 322 are a singlepiece, the partition 362 acts as the top wall of the outer shell 950.Thus, the cap 118 may turn freely relative to the inner shell 946 when aforce in the direction of B is not applied thereto. However, when aforce is applied to a lid 126 of the cap 118, the partition 362 movesthe projections 954 into engagement with the inner shell 946 and the cap118 and inner shell 946 turn simultaneously.

FIG. 10A is another cross-sectional view of at least one exampleembodiment of a section of the container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10A includes the same features as in FIG. 1, but includes the cover322 including a child resistant feature, such as a squeeze-and-twistarrangement. In at least one example embodiment, the sides of the cover322 must be squeezed to disengage the cover 322 from the neck 494 of thebase 114.

In at least one example embodiment, the cover 322 may include grips orsqueeze tabs 1066 disposed on opposing sides of the cover 322 at theopen edge 542 of the cover 322. Threads 530 on the cover 322 engagethreads 526 on the neck 494.

FIG. 10B is another cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG.10A. FIG. 10B includes the same features as FIG. 10A. FIG. 10B includesthe same features as FIG. 1, except that the neck 494 includes a pair ofgaps 1070 in the threads 526 on opposing sides of the neck 494. Aprojection 1074 is disposed in each gap 1070 that prevents rotation ofthe cover 322 relative to the neck 494.

During use, when the squeeze tabs 1066 are pressed in the directions ofarrows C and D, as shown in FIG. 10A, the open edge 542 of the cover 322is deformed at the squeeze tabs 1066 in a direction toward the neck 494.Deformation of the squeeze tabs 1066 causes deformation of the cover 322at locations between the squeeze tabs 1066 and opposite one another in adirection away from the neck 494 and the projections 1074, as shown inFIG. 10B. The cover 322 may then be turned counterclockwise such thatthreads 530 become disengaged with threads 526.

In operation, the cap 118 is removed from the base 114, exposing thecover 322. The squeeze tabs 1066 are pressed in the directions of arrowsC and D to deform the open edge 542 in the directions of arrows E and Fas shown in FIG. 10B. With the squeeze tabs 1066 depressed, the cover322 is turned counterclockwise to disengage threads 530 from threads 526and the cover 322 off the neck 494.

FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional view of at least one exampleembodiment of a section of the container shown in FIG. 1 along lineIV-IV. FIG. 11 includes the same features as FIG. 1, except that thecover 322 of the container includes a liner.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the cover 322may include a liner 1178 disposed within the cover 322. Morespecifically, in at least one example embodiment, the liner 1178 may bedisposed between an inner surface 1182 of a top wall 1186 of the cover322 and the neck 494. In at least one example embodiment, the liner 1178may improve the seal between the neck 494 and the cover 322. The liner1178 may be formed of a plastic, a foam, or another material. In someembodiments, the liner 1178 may include a wax, or similar, food-safecoating. In at least one example embodiment, the liner 1178 may includealuminum or a polymer laminated aluminum sheet.

Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understoodthat other variations may be possible. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and all such modifications as would be obvious to oneskilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. A container comprising: a base including, a body portion, and a neckportion, the neck portion defining an open end; and a cap configured toengage a portion of the base, the cap including, a housing defining anopen cavity in the cap, the neck portion extending into the open cavity,a hinged lid movable between an open position providing access to thecavity and a closed position sealing the cavity, and a partitiondefining a first compartment in the open cavity of the cap, the hingedlid moving between the open position and the closed position so as toprovide access to the first compartment.
 2. The container of claim 1,wherein at least a portion of the body portion extends into the opencavity and the cap is configured to engage the body portion.
 3. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the body portion and the housing of thecap have different cross sectional shapes.
 4. The container of claim 1,wherein the hinged lid and the cap are a single piece.
 5. The containerof claim 1, wherein the cap is configured to engage the neck portion ofthe base.
 6. The container of claim 5, wherein the cap is configured tothreadably engage at least a portion of the neck portion of the base. 7.The container of claim 6, wherein the cap includes threads having apress and twist release to threadably engage the neck portion.
 8. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the cap is configured to engage at least aportion of the body portion of the base in a snap-fit.
 9. The containerof claim 8, wherein the body portion includes a groove, and the capincludes an open edge that is configured to engage the groove so as tocreate the snap-fit.
 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the bodyportion includes a lip adjacent the groove, the lip configured to deformwhen the groove receives the open edge of the cap.
 11. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the hinged lid is monolithically formed with thehousing.
 12. The container of claim 1, wherein the hinged lid includes aliving hinge.
 13. The container of claim 1, wherein the cap furtherincludes a child resistant feature.
 14. The container of claim 13,wherein the child resistant feature includes a press and twist releaseon a plurality of threads on the housing.
 15. The container of claim 13,wherein the child resistant feature includes a deformable housing in thecap and opposing squeeze tabs, and wherein when the opposing squeezetabs are pressed together, the deformable housing flexes to release thecap from the neck portion.
 16. The container of claim 1, wherein the capfurther includes a liner.
 17. A cap for a container, the cap comprising:a housing defining a cavity; a partition within the cavity and dividingthe cavity into a first compartment and cavity second compartment; and alid configured to engage the housing, the lid being movable between anopen position providing access to the first compartment and a closedposition sealing the first compartment.
 18. The cap of claim 17, whereinthe housing comprises: an open edge at an opening to the secondcompartment, the open edge including a lip configured to engage a bodyof the container.
 19. The cap of claim 17, wherein the lid is a hingedlid, the hinged lid monolithically formed with the housing.
 20. The capof claim 19, wherein the housing is configured to engage a neck portionof the container, and to receive the neck portion within the secondcompartment.
 21. The cap of claim 20, wherein the housing is acylindrical housing.
 22. The cap of claim 20, wherein the housing is oneof oblong, oval, rectangular, hexagonal, and octagonal.
 23. Thecontainer of claim 17, wherein the lid includes a living hinge.
 24. Thecontainer of claim 17, wherein the housing defines an opening in a topsurface, the lid covering the opening in the closed position, and thepartition extends from an edge of the opening and forms a cup-shapedrecess so as to define the first and second compartments.